Project investigating accuracy of 3-D Thermal Bridging modeling of roof fasteners to be carried out in BEST-Lab test chamber

Thermal bridging visible through melted snow in highly conductive areas (Image credit: http://www.etc-web.com/blog/roofing/)

The RCI Foundation has approved funding for a study titled: “Laboratory Testing of Roof Assemblies for Comparison with Simulated Models: Thermal Performance Assessment of Thermal Bridges due to Roof Fasteners” at Virginia Tech. The team consisting of Dr. Elizabeth Grant and Dr. Georg Reichard along with VT students will conduct selected laboratory tests to compare the thermal performance of physical models of simple roof assemblies under different controlled laboratory environmental conditions with computational models of these assemblies.

The overall goal of the project is to provide a better understanding of simulated versus tested thermal conductance in 3-D configurations to the industry, in support of relative comparison of quantitative thermal effects of fasteners in different roof assemblies.

After running computer models for an SGH-sponsored paper published by ASTM in 2015 it became apparent that roofing insulation fasteners will cause significant thermal bridging

“After running computer models for an SGH-sponsored paper published by ASTM in 2015 it became apparent that roofing insulation fasteners will cause significant thermal bridging,” said Eric Olson of SGH, the lead author of a 2015 paper considering thermal bridging of roofing details. “These effects are not considered by many in the roofing industry, and there exists no clear guidance on how to deal with them. Validation of the computer models with physical laboratory analysis, the aim of the current study, is the next logical step to building practical methods for considering their effects.”

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